India to open Consulate in Kurdistan

Special envoy of the Government of India, Ambassador Suresh K Reddy visited the KRG Department of Foreign Relations to discuss latest developments and the opening of India’s Consulate General in Kurdistan.

Ambassador Reddy appreciated the continued support of the DFR for the Indian mission in Iraq and pledged to continue working with the Kurdistan Region to establish and expand mutually beneficial ties.

He emphasized on the desire of the government of India to open its consulate general in Erbil in the shortest possible time. He said, “India realizes the stability and prosperity of the Kurdistan Region. India desires to be a reliable partner for the people and leadership of the Kurdistan Region. The government of India fully supports the Kurdistan Region during this difficult time.”

Speaking of the recent security developments in the Kurdistan Region, Mr. Reddy said, “We have confidence in the leadership and the Peshmerga forces of the Kurdistan Region to preserve the stability and security of the Kurdistan Region.”

The Special Envoy commended the role of Peshmerga forces in fighting the terrorist groups, saying, “When Kurdish Peshmerga forces stood up against ISIS and repelled ISIS’s attacks, it gave hope to all Iraqis that ISIS can be defeated.”

After welcoming Ambassador Reddy, Minister Falah Mustafa thanked the Special Envoy of the government of India for expressions of support and solidarity for Kurdistan and expressed the readiness of the DFR to expedite the process of establishing Indian Consulate General in Erbil.

Minister Mustafa said, “India has much knowledge and expertise to share with the people of Kurdistan and we are aware of the historic relationship between India and Iraq. The opening of India’s consulate general in Erbil will give us a better chance to increase our bilateral ties in potential areas of cooperation.”

Both sides also spoke in detail of the relations between Erbil and Baghdad, the fight against ISIS, and the conditions of 1.6 million refugees and internally displaced persons in the Kurdistan Region.